The Torrance City Council is moving closer to building a splash pad water playground at Wilson Park at the site of the existing drained pond, above, even though the cost has risen from $500,000 to $1.1 million. August 2016 file photo. (Robert Casillas / Daily Breeze/SCNG)

That was too rich for Councilman Mike Griffiths, who cast the lone vote Tuesday in opposition to the project because he believes other spending priorities should take precedence.

“I could not justify in my mind spending that kind of money on a water feature in a park that could become a potential liability for the city,” he said. “I think it sends a signal to the community that maybe we’re overspending a little and not taking care of what we have well enough.”

The deteriorating condition of city streets, for example, especially in and around Old Torrance near Wilson Park, has become a near-constant source of complaints. Recent rain-caused potholes have only added to the grumbling.

Safer than city pools

Although scattered news reports around the country cite several injuries attributed to poorly designed splash pads, parks officials have said that splash pads generally are seen as less of a liability than a municipal pool.

Resident Mary Ann McFarland, a frequent critic of Mayor Pat Furey and the council, especially on matters related to the Torrance refinery, complained in an email about spending the money on a “pet project” of the mayor.

“How many stupid projects are the City Council members going to sit still for before someone finally challenges the mayor?” she wondered.

The splash pad bill could have come in even higher. Cost estimates for an initial design actually came in at almost $1.7 million before the 3,000-square-foot project was modified to reduce that amount.

A new restroom

Pushing the cost upward was a county requirement that the splash pad be located within 150 feet of a public restroom, which will require building a new one.

This version of the City Council has shown a greater willingness than others in the past to spend money on nonessential projects, including the annual Independence Day fireworks show and floats in the annual Tournament of Roses Parade. Both expenditures, previously dropped because of budget concerns, were reinstated by this council.

The city is tapping a variety of funds and grants to pay for the splash pad, most of which must be spent on recreational amenities.

The current park pond that will be repurposed for the project has proved a municipal headache for the last few years. It currently sits empty in response to the drought.

City officials say turning the area into a splash pad will actually save up to 50,000 gallons a year.

County grant funding restrictions dictate a tight construction schedule for a project already behind schedule because of the delays over the final design.

Veteran journalist Nick Green is the beat reporter for the cities of Torrance, Carson and Lomita and also covers the South Bay's rapidly growing craft beer industry for the Daily Breeze. He has worked for newspapers on the West Coast since graduating in 1987 from the University of Washington and lives in Old Torrance with his wife and two cats. Follow him on Twitter @NickGreen007 and @BeerGogglesLA.